JP6262463B2 - Liquid applicator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid applicator such as a writing instrument that has an application member such as a pen core and an application body at the tip of a shaft cylinder having a liquid tank, and directly fills the liquid tank with a liquid such as ink or application liquid.

  Conventionally, in a writing instrument in which ink is directly filled into a tank, an ink reservoir using capillary action is used to prevent ink from flowing out of the pen tip due to expansion of air in the ink tank when the pressure is reduced or the temperature rises. The member is installed.

As a liquid applicator such as a writing instrument using an ink retaining member, for example,
1) A relay core for leading the coating liquid in the tank to the coating portion at the tip of the shaft cylinder, a tank for filling the coating liquid such as ink, and an ink reservoir for temporarily storing the outflow of the coating liquid as the tank internal pressure rises In an applicator having a collector serving as a member, the tank and the relay core are accommodated in a volume C = A + B, which is the sum of the amount of coating liquid A that can be stored in the applicator and the relay core, and the tank volume B. An applicator characterized in that it is filled in a shaft cylinder (see, for example, Patent Document 1),
2) An ink tank provided with an ink outflow hole for allowing ink in the ink storage chamber to flow out of the ink storage chamber in the ink storage chamber for storing ink, the ink storage chamber having an ink storage member The ink storage body is accommodated, and the ink storage body is provided with a plurality of plate-like wings arranged in parallel so as to form an ink storage gap between each other. The ink tank is arranged in the ink storage chamber so as to store ink by capillary force from the end of use to the end of use and generate a predetermined negative pressure on the ink outflow hole side (see, for example, Patent Document 2) ) Etc. are known.

The necessary functions of these ink storage members are to secure a space volume that can absorb ink and to secure a capillary force that prevents the secured ink from being DC. In the conventional ink storage member, a plurality of plate-like wings (sheets) are provided in parallel so as to form an ink storage gap between them. However, in order to generate capillary force, it is necessary to use a relatively large size, and it is difficult to reduce the size, and it is also desired to facilitate molding and reduce costs.
Further, there is a problem that the smartness of the liquid applicator is lost in terms of appearance as the size of the ink storage member increases.

JP 2003-118288 A (Claims, FIG. 1 etc.) JP 2001-1682 A (Claims, FIG. 1 etc.)

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and solves this problem. Compared to a conventional liquid applicator using an ink storage member, the ink is generated by generating a capillary force while securing a space volume. Liquid application that reduces the cost of molding and facilitates molding while reducing the size of conventional ink reservoirs and reducing the size of conventional ink reservoirs. The purpose is to provide ingredients.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present inventors have found that a shaft cylinder having a liquid tank that directly stores liquid, an application member provided at the tip of the shaft cylinder, and the liquid A liquid storage member for adjusting a pressure change in the tank, wherein the liquid is led out from the liquid tank to the application member directly or via a relay core, The inventors have found that the above-described liquid applicator can be obtained by making the reservoir member have a specific structure, and have completed the present invention.

That is, the liquid applicator of the present invention exists in the following (1) to (5).
(1) It has a shaft cylinder having a liquid tank for directly storing liquid, an application member provided at the tip of the shaft cylinder, and a liquid storage member for adjusting a pressure change in the liquid tank, A liquid applicator in which liquid is led out from the liquid tank to the applicator member directly or via a relay core, wherein the liquid reservoir member has a cylindrical portion, and ribs are formed in a radial direction. A liquid applicator characterized by that.
(2) The liquid applicator according to (1), wherein the liquid retaining member has a radial direction toward the axial center.
(3) The liquid applicator according to (1), wherein the liquid retaining member has a radial direction toward an axially outward direction.
(4) The liquid applicator according to (1), wherein the liquid storage member has a radial direction toward the axial center and outward of the axis.
(5) The liquid applicator according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the liquid retaining member is formed by extrusion molding.

  According to the present invention, as compared with a liquid applicator using a liquid retaining member such as a collector member in which conventional single wafers are stacked, a capillary force is generated while securing a space volume, and an external temperature, an atmospheric pressure, etc. Even if there is a change in pressure in the liquid tank due to changes (liquid expansion, etc.), the appearance can be made smarter by reducing the size of the liquid, such as ink, without direct current from the coating member. There is provided a liquid applicator that achieves a reduction in the size and ease of molding.

(A) is the elements on larger scale which show the principal part of the liquid applicator used as an example of embodiment of this invention, (b) is a perspective view which shows an example of a liquid storage member, (c) is (b) FIG. (A) And (b) shows the whole liquid applicator used as an example of embodiment of this invention, (a) is a front view, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. (A)-(c) shows the other example of a liquid storage member, and is a perspective view, a side view, and a front view in order. (A)-(c) shows the other example of a liquid storage member, and is a perspective view, a side view, and a front view in order.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and FIG. 2 are drawings of a liquid applicator showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (a) is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of the liquid applicator, and FIG. The perspective view which shows an example of a liquid storage member, (c) is a side view of (b), FIG. 2 shows the whole liquid applicator, (a) is a front view, (b) is a longitudinal cross-section FIG.
The liquid applicator A of the present embodiment is applied to a writing instrument. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a liquid tank 10 that directly stores a liquid K made of ink for writing instruments such as aqueous ink and oil-based ink is provided. The shaft cylinder 11 has an application member 20 provided at the tip of the shaft cylinder 11, and a liquid storage member 30 for adjusting the pressure change in the liquid tank 10. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a cap 40 is attached to the distal end portion of the shaft cylinder 11.

The liquid tank 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape using, for example, a synthetic resin made of PP or the like. The liquid tank 10 is structured to be accommodated in a shaft tube 11 that is a writing instrument body. The shaft tube 11 is formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, glass, or the like.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the ink follower 12 is filled in contact with the rear side of the liquid K filled in the liquid tank 10 accommodated in the shaft cylinder 11, and further behind the ink follower 12. On the side, a capillary member 14 is fixed to a rear end portion of the liquid tank 10 through a space portion 13. A tail plug 15 is fixed to the rear end of the shaft tube 11. The capillary member 14 is composed of a porous body impregnated with oil.
In addition, a grip member 16 made of a soft material such as rubber or elastomer is attached to a portion serving as a grip portion of the shaft tube 11. The grip member 16 can be mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft tube 10 by, for example, two-color molding.

A cylindrical joint member 17 is fixed to the tip opening 10 a of the liquid tank 10. The joint member 17 includes a fitting portion 17b having a flange piece 17a for fitting and closing the tip opening 10a, and a holding portion 17c connected to the fitting portion 17b, and the inside of the holding portion 17c. The rear end side of the application member 20 is attached.
A cylindrical tip member 18 is fixed to the distal end side of the joint member 17. The tip member 18 has a cylindrical portion 18a fitted on the outer periphery of the holding portion 17c on the rear side, a holding portion 18b connected to the cylindrical portion 18a on the front side, and a tip of the holding portion 18b tapered. A small-diameter portion 18c that holds the tip side of the application member 20 is configured.
In the tip member 18, a holding portion 17 c that holds the rear end side of the application member 30 is held, and the liquid retaining member 30 is disposed in a space portion 18 d between the holding portion 17 c and the small diameter portion 18 c of the tip member 18. It has a structure that can be accommodated.

The tip member 18 is attached to the distal end side of the tip shaft 25 fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the distal end of the shaft tube 11 by screwing. Thus, the application member 20 is structured to be attached to the tip of the shaft tube 11 by the application joint member 17, the tip member 18 and the tip shaft 25.
The applicator member 20 is configured to be fitted inside each of the continuous cylindrical portions having the same diameters of the holding portion 17c of the joint member 17, the liquid retaining member 30, and the tip holding portion 18c except for the applicator portion 21 on the distal end side. It has become.

The coating member 20 made of a pen core is, for example, natural fiber, animal hair fiber, polyacetal resin, polyethylene resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, polyolefin resin, polyvinyl resin, Parallel fiber bundles made of one or two or more combinations such as polycarbonate resins, polyether resins, polyphenylene resins, fiber bundles such as felt, or fiber cores made by processing these fiber bundles with resin, or various A porous body (sintered core) obtained by sintering a plastic powder or the like, and the shape thereof is, for example, a pen core having a substantially cylindrical shape with a rounded tip as in this embodiment. Can be mentioned.
The coating member 20 made of this pen core has a structure in which the tip end 21 of the pen core is exposed from the small diameter portion 18c. Further, an attachment body 22 having a liquid circulation hole attached by fitting into the fitting portion 17 b of the joint member 17 is attached to the rear end portion of the application member 20.

The liquid retaining member 30 adjusts the pressure change in the liquid tank 10 due to changes in the outside air temperature, the outside air pressure, etc., for example, the application member 20 that becomes the pen tip due to air expansion in the liquid tank 10 when the pressure is reduced or the temperature rises. As described above, the member is accommodated in the space portion 18d between the holding portion 17c of the joint member 17 and the small-diameter portion 18c of the tip member 18 as described above.
The liquid storage member 30 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical portion 31, and ribs 32, 32... Erected at predetermined intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 are axially centered in the radial direction. It is formed towards. In the present embodiment, 24 ribs 32 are erected. The length (height) from the base end portion 32a to the tip end portion 32b of each rib 32 is about half the length to the axial center, and the inner circumference connecting the tip portions 32b, 32b of each rib 32. The center portion of the liquid retaining member 30 is held by the line portion 32c.

  In this liquid retaining member 30, liquid retaining gaps 33, 33... Are formed between the ribs 32, 32. The liquid retaining gaps 33, 33... Are also provided when there is a pressure change (liquid expansion or the like) in the liquid tank 10 due to a change in the outside air temperature or the atmospheric pressure. 33... Can temporarily hold the excess liquid in the application member 20, and has a function of returning to the original (retention member 30) when the pressure change disappears (when the normal state is reached). In this way, it is possible to prevent dropping of liquid from the liquid application member 20 (liquid direct current phenomenon) and the like.

  In the liquid retaining member 30 of the present invention, the volume (distance) of the liquid retaining gaps 33, 33... Is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the formation (number) of the ribs 32, 32. Capability of the capillary force can be arbitrarily set while securing the liquid application (application tools such as writing tools and cosmetics), the type of liquid (ink for writing tools, cosmetic liquid, chemicals, etc.) A suitable capillary force can be set according to the size (diameter, length, etc.) and the capillary force.

The liquid retaining member 30 having this structure can be integrally formed using a material such as resin, rubber, metal, and the like. The direct current phenomenon such as can be prevented. In addition, when a conventional collector member laminated with a single wafer was used, it was formed by injection molding. However, with this forming method, it is compared to generate capillary force while ensuring space volume. However, in the present invention, when a resin or the like is used, since it can be integrally formed by extrusion, further downsizing is possible.
In addition, in order to improve the wettability of the rib 32 serving as the internal structure of the molded liquid retaining member 30, surface treatment with a plasma treatment, a water repellent, or the like may be performed.

  The cap 40 includes a main body portion 42 having a concave portion 41 that protects the distal end of an application member that is detachable by fitting (or screwing) to the outer periphery of the distal end of the shaft tube 11, and a clip portion 43.

In the liquid applicator A of the present embodiment configured as above, first, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, when the cap 40 is removed and a predetermined portion is applied by the application member 20, the liquid tank 10 The liquid inside is supplied from the rear end portion of the application member 20 through the liquid circulation hole (not shown) of the attachment body 22 to the tip portion by capillary action and used for application. At this time, air is replaced from the capillary member 14 when the space 13 is decompressed by writing. Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid is directly led out from the liquid tank 10 to the application member 20, but may be performed via a relay core.
The radial rib 32 formed toward the axial center of the inner surface of the liquid retaining member 30 when a pressure change (liquid expansion or the like) in the liquid tank 10 due to a change in the outside air temperature or the outside air pressure is made. , 32... Can be temporarily stored in the liquid storage gaps 33, 33... When the pressure change disappears (when the normal state is reached), the original (retention member 30). It has an action of returning, and this makes it possible to easily prevent liquid dropout (liquid direct current phenomenon) and the like.
As described above, in the liquid applicator A of the present embodiment, capillary force is generated while securing a space volume, as compared with a liquid applicator using a liquid retaining member such as a collector member in which conventional single-wafers are stacked. Thus, a liquid applicator that can be miniaturized and has a smart appearance without directing a liquid such as ink can be obtained, and cost reduction and easy molding can be achieved.

  Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 are other embodiments of the liquid applicator of the present invention, respectively, and the liquid retaining member used is changed to the liquid retaining member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. However, this is different from the liquid applicator A in FIGS. 1 and 2 and functions in the same manner as the liquid applicator A in the above embodiment.

The liquid retaining member 30 in FIG. 3 has a cylindrical portion 31 into which the application member 20 made of a pen core is inserted, and is provided upright at predetermined intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31. Ribs 34, 34... Are formed radially outwardly. In the present embodiment, 24 ribs 34 are erected.
In this liquid retaining member 30, liquid retaining gaps 35, 35,... Are formed between the ribs 34, 34,. When the pressure in the liquid tank 10 is changed (liquid expansion or the like) due to changes in the outside air temperature, the outside air pressure, or the like, the excess liquid is retained. Through the gap between the portion 17 and the liquid flow-holding member 30, the liquid can be temporarily stored in the liquid storage gaps 35, 35. When the pressure change is lost (when the normal state is reached), the liquid storage member 30 is returned to the liquid storage member 30 through the gap between the holding portion 17 and the liquid current holding member 30. Falling (liquid direct current phenomenon) and the like can be prevented.

The liquid retaining member 30 in FIG. 4 is a liquid retaining member having a structure obtained by combining FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 at predetermined intervals. Are formed in the radial direction toward the center of the shaft, and ribs 34, 34 are provided on the outer peripheral surface at predetermined intervals to extend outward in the radial direction. Is formed. In the present embodiment, the number of ribs 32, 32... And the number of ribs 34, 34. Also, components having the same structure and function as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG.
In the liquid retaining member 30, the liquid is retained so as to generate a predetermined capillary force while securing a space volume between the ribs 32, 32... And the ribs 34, 34. Reservoir gaps 33, 33..., 35, 35... Are formed in the liquid reservoir gaps 33, 33. When the liquid is expanded, the excess liquid can be temporarily stored in the liquid storage gaps 33, 33..., 35, 35. In this case, the liquid storage member 30 is returned to the liquid storage member 30, thereby further preventing liquid dropout (liquid direct current phenomenon) and the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified into various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.
In each of the above embodiments, the writing instrument using the ink for the writing instrument as the liquid applicator has been described in detail. The ink is made of nail polish, liquid cosmetics, chemicals, etc. It is good also as what apply | coats generally the cosmetics used as the application body comprised, and other liquids.

  Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[Example 1]
(Configuration of liquid applicator: based on FIGS. 1 and 2)
Configuration of each member:
Liquid tank 10, shaft cylinder 11, tip shaft 25, tail plug 15, cap 40: Polypropylene joint member 17, mouth end member 18: Polypropylene Capillary member 14: PET fiber, process oil Application member (pen core) 20: Acrylic Fiber core, porosity 72%, length 20 mm, φ: 2 mm, substantially cylindrical shape with rounded tip Liquid retention member 30: Polyacetal extrusion molding, outer diameter φ4 mm, inner diameter φ2 mm, length 10 mm, gap maximum about 0 .27 mm, total number of ribs: 24, one gap space of about 0.035 cc
(Liquid composition etc.)
A commercially available aqueous ink for a marking pen was used as the liquid.
Follower: Mineral oil and thickener

  When the liquid applicator of Example 1 according to the present invention configured as described above was used, it was confirmed that ink could flow out to the application member 20 and be written. Further, after the cap 40 is heated and heated to 50 ° C. to increase the pressure in the liquid tank 10, the liquid DC phenomenon does not occur from the coating member 20 serving as the pen tip even when the cap 40 is opened. It was confirmed.

  The liquid applicator of the present invention can be suitably applied to underline pens, paint markers, oily markers, writing tools of the type called water-based markers, cosmetics such as nail polish, and liquid cosmetics.

A Liquid applicator K Liquid (ink for writing instruments)
10 Liquid tank 11 Shaft cylinder 20 Application member (pen core)
30 Liquid retaining member 40 Cap

Claims (3)

The liquid tank includes a shaft cylinder having a liquid tank for directly storing liquid, an application member provided at a tip of the shaft cylinder, and a liquid storage member for adjusting a pressure change in the liquid tank. derivation of the liquid to the coating member is a liquid applicator which is performed directly or via a wick from the liquid reservoir member has a cylindrical portion, the axial center from the proximal end of the tubular portion continuous ribs are formed at predetermined intervals in a substantially straight line in the axial direction from the radial direction and the tip are headed to the rear in Rutotomoni liquid Hotamari gap is formed between the respective ribs, and liquid A liquid applicator characterized in that the retaining member is disposed on the outer periphery of the applicator member . The liquid tank includes a shaft cylinder having a liquid tank for directly storing liquid, an application member provided at a tip of the shaft cylinder, and a liquid storage member for adjusting a pressure change in the liquid tank. derivation of the liquid to the coating member is a liquid applicator which is performed directly or via a wick from the liquid reservoir member has a cylindrical portion, the off-axis from the proximal end of the tubular portion rib which is continuous in a substantially linear shape are formed at predetermined intervals and axially from the radial direction and the distal end to the rear end towards Rutotomoni, liquid Hotamari gap is formed between the respective rib, and the A liquid applicator, wherein the liquid retaining member is disposed on the outer periphery of the applicator member . The liquid tank includes a shaft cylinder having a liquid tank for directly storing liquid, an application member provided at a tip of the shaft cylinder, and a liquid storage member for adjusting a pressure change in the liquid tank. derivation of the liquid to the coating member is a liquid applicator which is performed directly or via a wick from the liquid reservoir member has a cylindrical portion, the axial center from the proximal end of the tubular portion and the radial direction in which toward the off-axis direction, and, Rutotomoni rib continuous substantially linearly in the axial direction from the tip to the rear end is formed at predetermined intervals, the liquid Hotamari gaps between respective ribs formed A liquid applicator characterized in that the liquid retaining member is disposed on the outer periphery of the applicator member .

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